Pakistani Cyber Groups Target India Again, Multiple Defence Websites Hacked, May Have Compromised Sensitive Information

New Delhi: Amid tensions between India-Pakistan in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, Pakistani hackers are targeting Indian defence websites. The cyber attacks may have compromised sensitive information about defence personnel, including their login credentials, according to NDTV.

A handle on micro-blogging website X, "Pakistan Cyber Force", has claimed that hackers gained access to sensitive data of the Military Engineer Services and the Manohar Parrikar Institute of Defence Studies and Analysis. The hackers, have also tried to deface the website of Armoured Vehicle Nigam Limited, a Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Defence.

Reportedly, the website of Armoured Vehicle Nigam Limited has been taken offline for a thorough audit to assess the extent of any potential damage caused by the hacking attempt.

Reports further suggest, cybersecurity experts are actively monitoring cyberspace to detect any additional attacks, particularly those that may be sponsored by threat actors linked to Pakistan. Also, appropriate measures are being taken to strengthen the security infrastructure to guard against further intrusion attempts.

Earlier last week, Indian intelligence agencies issued alerts to Sainik Schools—particularly in Srinagar and Ranikhet—about potential cyber attacks from Pakistan, following the foiling of four such attempts in the past 24 hours. The schools cautioned parents against sharing sensitive information or responding to suspicious calls or messages online, which are being seen as desperate attempts by Pakistani operatives to access military-related data through school websites and communication platforms.